Biblical References:
Jokneam is mentioned in several passages within the Old Testament. It is first noted in the Book of Joshua as a city within the territory allotted to the tribe of Zebulun. Joshua 19:11 states, "Their border went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and extended to the brook east of Jokneam." This indicates its geographical location and its significance as a boundary marker.

Levitical City:
Jokneam is also identified as a Levitical city. In Joshua 21:34, it is listed among the cities given to the Levites from the tribe of Zebulun: "And to the families of the Merarites, the rest of the Levites, they gave... Jokneam with its pasturelands." This designation underscores its role in the religious and communal life of ancient Israel, serving as a dwelling place for the Levites who were responsible for various religious duties and services.

Geographical and Historical Context:
Jokneam is situated in the region of Galilee, near the Carmel mountain range. Its location is strategic, lying on the ancient trade routes that connected the coastal plain with the interior of the land. This positioning would have made Jokneam an important site for trade and military movements.

Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological efforts have identified the site of Jokneam with Tel Yokneam, located near the modern-day city of Yokneam Illit in Israel. Excavations have revealed layers of occupation that date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, providing evidence of its long-standing habitation and significance throughout various periods of biblical history.

Role in Israel's History:
As a Levitical city, Jokneam played a part in the spiritual life of Israel. The Levites, who resided there, were integral to the maintenance of religious practices and the teaching of the Law. The city's inclusion in the Levitical cities highlights the distribution of religious responsibilities across the tribes of Israel, ensuring that spiritual guidance was accessible throughout the land.

Cultural and Theological Significance:
Jokneam's mention in the context of tribal boundaries and Levitical cities reflects the organized structure of ancient Israelite society, where land distribution and religious duties were divinely ordained. The city's role as a Levitical city emphasizes the importance of worship and adherence to God's commandments as central to the life of the Israelite community.

Conclusion:
While Jokneam may not be as prominently featured as other biblical cities, its role as a Levitical city and its strategic location underscore its importance in the historical and religious landscape of ancient Israel. The city's legacy continues to be explored through archaeological research, offering insights into the daily life and spiritual practices of the Israelites.Jokneam

possessing, or building up, of the people

Jokneam

(possessed by the people), a city of the tribe of Zebulun, allotted with its suburbs to the Merarite Levites. (Joshua 21:34) Its modern site is Tell Kaimon , an eminence which stands just below the eastern termination of Carmel.

Gathered by the people, (Joshua 19:11; 21:34), a city "of Carmel" (12:22), i.e., on Carmel, allotted with its suburbs to the Merarite Levites. It is the modern Tell Kaimon, about 12 miles south-west of Nazareth, on the south of the river Kishon. JOKNEAM

jok'-ne-am (yoqne`am): A royal city of the Canaanites taken by Joshua and described as "in Carmel" (Joshua 12:22), in the territory of Zebulun, and allotted to the Merarite Levites (21:34). The border of Zebulun "reached to the brook that is before Jokneam" (19:11). In 1 Kings 4:12 the name appears in the King James Version where, with the Revised Version (British and American), we should read "Jokmeam." Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 6 Roman miles from Lejio (Lejjun) on the way to Ptolemais (Acre). This points to Tell Kaimun, a striking mound on the eastern slope of Mt. Carmel. To the East of it runs the "torrent bed" of the Kishon. It stands about 300 ft. above the valley to the North of it, and the sides are steep. It is crowned by the ruins of an 18th-century fortress. A little lower down are the remains of a small chapel. There are fine springs at the foot (PEFM, II, 69). In Judith 7:3 it appears as "Cyamon" (Kuamon). It is the "Mons Cain" of the Middle Ages. "In the Samaritan Book of Judges it is noticed as the scene of a conflict between the Hebrews and the Giants; and Joshua is said to have been shut up here in magic walls of brass, till on sending a dove to the Hebrew king of Gilead, he was rescued" (Conder, HDB, under the word).

W. Ewing

3362. Yoqneam -- a city of Canaan
... 3361, 3362. Yoqneam. 3363 . a city of Canaan. Transliteration: Yoqneam Phonetic
Spelling: (yok-neh-awm') Short Definition: Jokneam. ... Jokneam. ...
/hebrew/3362.htm - 6k

Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
... For when, in Joshua, some kings of certain particular cities in Galilee"Kedesh,
Jokneam, Dor, &c."are reckoned up, the king of the nations of Gilgal, or ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 88 gilgal in deuteronomy.htm

Jokneam (5 Occurrences)
... Kishon. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JOKNEAM. jok ... 34). The border of Zebulun
"reached to the brook that is before Jokneam" (19:11). In ...
/j/jokneam.htm - 9k

Jok'ne-am (3 Occurrences)
Jok'ne-am. Jokneam, Jok'ne-am. Jokshan . ... Jok'ne-am (3 Occurrences). Joshua
12:22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; (See RSV). ...
/j/jok'ne-am.htm - 7k

Kishon (6 Occurrences)
... 4:7, etc.). It is probably mentioned earlier as "the brook that is before
Jokneam" (Joshua 19:11; see JOKNEAM). It appears again ...
/k/kishon.htm - 12k

Jokmeam (2 Occurrences)
... It lay somewhere in the Jordan valley (1 Kings 4:12, RV; but in AV incorrectly
"Jokneam"). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JOKMEAM. ...
/j/jokmeam.htm - 8k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... probably by the vale of `Abilin. It then proceeded southward to the Kishon
opposite Tell Kaimun (Jokneam). As the plain belonged to ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

Zartanah (1 Occurrence)
... and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean
to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam: (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/z/zartanah.htm - 7k

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
... Joshua 21:34 And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites,
out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with the open land about it, and ...
/z/zeb'ulun.htm - 16k

Zaretan (3 Occurrences)
... the son of Ahilud had Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zaretan
beneath Jizreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-Meholah, as far as beyond Jokneam. ...
/z/zaretan.htm - 8k

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)
... Kedesh (12 Occurrences). Joshua 12:22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam
in Carmel, one; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/kedesh.htm - 14k

Kartah (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 21:34 To the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites,
out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, Kartah with its suburbs ...
/k/kartah.htm - 7k

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